Tarot & Inspiration

I LOVE Halloween and after considering this deck for several years, finding myself in a more-than-usual Halloweeny mood this year, decided to get it. I couldn't have made a better decision. This deck and I 'bonded' almost instantly. I find the cards really just opening up information and ideas to me in a way I'm really not used to with my past tarot practice. ("so THIS is what it's supposed to be like!")

Though it's drawn in a cartoon-like style, and the themes are fun (what's not to love about Halloween?) it's far from shallow! I've never owned the actual RWS deck, but I'm familiar with the 'traditional imagery.' This deck is also based on that traditional imagery, so it's not like it's so far out in left field that you have no basis to work from in reading the cards. But of course, you don't have to be familiar with RWS for this deck to be useful, either.

As a bonus, the added twist of the Halloween theme just adds more layers to it to explore. I initially thought swapping the traditional suits of Coins (or Pentacles), Swords, Wands and Cups for Pumpkins, Bats, Imps and Ghosts would just be kind of silly. Nope -- it works! It makes perfect sense when working with this deck. Sometimes, to me, more sense than the 'traditional' suits. It just seems to give me more information to work with. I've been using this deck for several days, and I've done more readings in that time than I have in the last several months -- particularly because I so enjoy working with it, and the information I am getting is so instant, spot-on, useful, intriguing, and just plain fun.

The accompanying book is very nice. Though I'm focusing on developing a more intuitive tarot practice, I still like to have the book handy for some guidance as to what the deck author had in mind, if I get really stuck (though I only use it when I'm stuck). When I first got my deck, the first thing I did was sit down and go through all the cards one at a time, without looking at the book, just to get my own intuitive feel for them. After spending a day or so on that, I read the book cover to cover, just to get an overview. The chapters on the history of Halloween are a lot of fun, and each card's description is succinct and to the point. It gives a nice background, and pointed out a few things I might not have thought of on my own, to store in the back of my mind; my theory being, they'll pop up in the future if I need that information for a particular reading.

So ... everyone is different, and decks some people love do nothing for someone else. But for me, this deck has been awesome, actually exceeding my expectations. If you love Halloween, definitely try this deck. It's not only a lot of fun, but has some rich and thought-provoking imagery, and is well worth exploring.

-- Karen Hall, on Amazon

I first saw this set sometime last year. A friend of mine owned it and I looked through it and smiled the whole way through. It's very innocent and sweet, bringing a playfulness to the spirit of Halloween that you don't really see anymore. The deck is very detailed with all 78 cards included. The book outlines each and every card, and gives a brief but very entertaining and detailed history about the traditions and origins of Halloween -- very comprehensive. This deck and its book have been a joy and makes learning the Tarot very fun for me. I recommend it to anyone who likes a little holiday in their spiritual step!

I personally love this deck and it is one of the most frequently used decks for my personal readings. I love the fact that the cards were painted with oils on canvas; the colors are incredibly rich and vibrant and there is a depth and solidity to the images that is rare. There's something psychological here for me as an artist - these feel like the sort of images I would encounter in an art gallery rather than straightforward commercial illustrations. To me this is as much of an art tarot as it is a working deck, which makes me feel good when I handle the cards.

Unlike many of the esoteric decks that are imbued with either breathless solemnity or an almost religious conviction, this one manages to do full justice to the depth and meaning of the age old symbols while somehow not taking itself too seriously. The characters on the cards have a dark, almost camp wit with a slightly sinister edge to them. Everything is wildly out of proportion and ethereally colored yet somehow it all works. If anyone asked me why, I really couldn't say, but the humor in the pictures seems to conceal but invite you to look deeper in the same breath.

I would thoroughly recommend the accompanying Tarot of the Witches book by Stuart R. Kaplan. This gives detailed descriptions of the Major cards and the artist's thinking behind them. Reading this greatly enhanced my appreciation of the deck and its sheer originality.

—Chris Butler, Aeclectic Tarot

This delightful deck has unfortunately been misnamed and mismarketed throughout its existence. It has nothing to do with James Bond or witches but has everything to do with Fergus Hall, the idiosyncratic artist who painted the deck. It should be called simply the Fergus Hall Tarot. Hall got his start doing carnival paintings and that freaky bizarro style shows in this deck. Unlike most 20th century decks, Hall's deck is free of occult or pagan mumbo jumbo and yet is rich in subtle symbolism, such as the mysterious black birds and orange cats that appear on various cards, and the mandala type designs in the center of the pip cards. The books held by the hanged man and hermit contain original poems. (Can't read them? See Stuart Kaplan's companion book). The art is very expertly done and yet is so whimsical and unassuming it's easy to take for granted. The World card is one of the best I've ever seen, downright haunting. This is a very profound deck but at the same time doesn't take itself too seriously. The pip cards are a welcome return to tradition, using the original suits of cups, swords, batons, and coins rather than the recently introduced "wands" and "pentacles" which many mistakenly consider authentic. Also, as in traditional decks, the pips are unillustrated save for Hall's central mandalas. In my opinion, unillustrated pips leave more room for the reader’s own imagination and insight.

A perfect blend of tradition and creativity. You might find this deck puzzling at first, but stick with it. There's an entire little world in every card!

—A. Simone, Amazon customer

These tarot cards should really be known as the Fergus Hall deck.
Many people are familiar with this deck due to its use in the James Bond movie, "Live and Let Die". But it is far more than that.
Abandoning all efforts to reproduce the Rider Waite Tarot, Hall has created a deck with some of the most surreal, yet highly mystical art ever seen on Tarot cards.
Those who are familiar with Tarot cards know that many different interpretations of cards are possible by seeing the imagery on the cards. Hall's imagery isn't for everyone, but I believe the art really draws you into readings in a whole new way.
I have also found this deck invaluable for dream interpretation.
The Minor Arcana return to the old "pip" system.
One of my higher recommendations if you are already doing readings for others.

—Bruce Gray, Amazon customer

I think this deck is absolutely wonderful. You have to use your own imagination and find your own meanings to the symbolism...which in my opinion is what tarot cards are all about. For those of you who want a deck that lays out plainly what the cards mean, then this is not for you. If you have a good imagination and enjoy the type of artistry used in this deck you wont be disappointed.

The Aquarian Tarot by David Palladini does exactly what the Tarot should do!!! That is—act as A Catalyst for the floodgates of one's own psychic abilities to open, flow and be directed...Along the path of mans' physical and spiritual life on the earth plane. The PalladiniAquarian deck offers all of the important symbolism for each card in an obvious ANd Mystical manner - allowing the reader to be lead psychically down the correct path. Unlike many other "Pretty" & "Weird" decks which abound - the Aquarian deck does not keep you spell bound to the cards themselves trying to decipher them but rather their meanings being instantly recognized by the reader, does it's job by sending our psyche away from the cards and directly into the cosmos of transmitted visuals and thought communications from the universe. Transmittals relevant to the questions being posed by the client. I'm on my 3rd deck of Pallidini's and have never found another to replace them!

—KosmicLinda (professional reader of 35 years)

This deck is old by many standards but the artwork still remains rather unique and revealing in many ways. It has an 'ancient' feel but also a 'modern' feel that many enjoyed getting readings with and is a sure winner for a primer deck!

—Yukio, Amazon customer

David Palladini'sAquarian Tarot is a beautiful deck in the Rider-Waite tradition. I was attracted to it by the wonderful art-deco style and the watercolors, both of which appeal to my sensibilities. This deck is very emotive - there's a strong sense of feeling that emanates from these cards, and it is often that feeling, rather than the imagery depicted, that informs my reading with them.

I have never experienced a more honest deck of cards used for divination. I think that it takes a particular type of personality to work with these. You must be prepared to be told what you need to hear and not just what you want to hear when dealing with the Osho Zen. But if you are prepared to do some serious soul searching, these cards are an ideal tool to use toward that goal. Whether a reading for someone else or yourself, I highly recommend this deck for anyone who is looking for something a little different from a traditional deck.

-- Alphawolf, Aeclectic Tarot

The Osho-Zen tarot card deck is a wonderful and highly evocative spiritual tool. These cards have a way of stirring the intuition upon first glance and promptly extracting the truth from any situation in question. My suggestion? Keep an open mind and practice regular use of these cards. I have found them to be a wonderful guide on my Spiritual Journey.

The ultra-colorful illustrations tend to evoke strong images and bring immediate clarity and accuracy to my readings. This is especially important since I must maintain a high level of excellence in my professional psychic tarot card business!

There is a very special genius at work here: unlike most decks I've run across over the years, Osho-Zen has a silly, yet intelligent sense of humor in its illustration of so-called negative cards like "exhaustion" and "schizophrenia". I think part of the objective behind the humor is to help us poke fun at ourselves, and not take every single thing so seriously! ... to live in the moment.

The Osho-Zen deck comes with a companion book honoring Eastern Philosophy while acting as a reference for each card's interpretation. Osho's visual and written text may indeed be a breath of fresh air for those who need a change from the more Westernized decks, which almost always boast cards like the Devil, Death and Hanged Man.

Even if I weren't looking to this deck as a means of spiritual divination; if I just wanted to do casual non-professional Tarot Readings, I still would have made it a point to get the Osho-Zen deck because of the amazing artistry! The artwork is simply incredible. Each card is a vibrantly colorful feast for the eyes. I have seen many many decks throughout my years as a professional Reader and I still find this deck to be one of the most, if not THE most beautiful I've ever seen!

-- Psychic Tedra

I have collected and read tarot for about 25 years. I have held and studied some of the oldest cards that are in the British Museum. I own over 100 decks. This deck was going to be just part of the collection -- until I read from it. I couldn't believe the insight and how well it fit with today's world and issues. It was like an epiphany. Most of my tarot reading friends have purchased it after seeing me read from it. A friend who had been trying to read the tarot for years, but said she just couldn't get it, can read from this deck. The wonderful colors and imagery of the deck and the poetic language of the book trigger one's intuition into full gear before realizing it. Readers of other decks can quickly use it as it follows the traditional pattern but in an innovative way. New readers can also begin using it quickly as the deck and book are inspirational. I highly recommend this book/deck combination!

The new Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot is the latest offering in a long line of historically accurate decks from Stuart R. Kaplan based upon the illustrations of Pamela Colman Smith. For this very pretty new deck, the artist VirginijusPoshkus was selected to re-color the drawings.

To describe the colouring of these cards as radiant is not an overstatement, as they are indeed shining and glowing, brilliant and luminous, and truly beaming with happiness. The cards have a clean, white border all around the images, with the numbers on the top in Roman numerals for the Major Arcana and spelled out in capital letters on the Minors. The titles and suits are in capital letters, in the same very pleasant typeface, also centered on the bottom of the cards.

The cards themselves have a nice feel, as they are printed on good cardstock, and are plastic-coated and durable. They are easy to handle and shuffle, being sized at 2 3/4" by 4 3/4" overall. The packaging is in a standard size box, printed in complimentary hues of orange and blue to highlight the radiant color values of the cards within, and featuring the Fool and Magician cards from inside. The instructions are familiar, featuring an introduction by Stuart R. Kaplan, and follow the standard format used for all decks from U.S. Games in the Rider-Waite tradition, which is both helpful and convenient for every purchaser of these cards. I was very pleased to be able to add the new Radiant Rider-Waite to my personal collection. VirginijusPoshkus has done an excellent job of radiantly re-coloring the images, which will make them easy to read and use for beginners and the advanced student, and they should soon prove to be a favorite of collectors worldwide.

—Peter Cowen, Aeclectic Tarot

Some people may feel that an "update" to a deck is unnecessary, that too many versions of the same thing amounts to overkill. I often find that new versions do have something to offer, and that this is the case with the Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot.

In the original version of this deck, there is an emphasis on the black outlining of the art, which to me takes away the ability to connect with the cards. The standard Rider-Waite was my first deck, and was almost immediately supplanted by the Morgan-Greer deck, a Rider-Waite clone that I could connect with much more easily.

The Radiant Rider-Waite, had it been my first deck, would have been the deck that I stayed with for professional readings. I like the fact that the intense black lines have been discarded, and the crisp white border with the card number at the top and the title at the bottom. The back of the cards, carrying the image of a starry sky, is also far preferable to the diamond pattern of the standard Rider-Waite deck.

The coloring is much more intense, with more of an orange overtone to the yellows. In some instances (the Fool, for example) there appears to be an aura of light around the figure(s) in the card. You really have to look for this, and I do not feel that it takes away from the ability to use this deck at all.

The Empress ends up with more of an orange sky behind her, but the plant life is distinctly green, rather than the yellowish tone carried by the standard deck. The deletion of the black lines does seem to have affected the facial expressions on the figures in the cards - bringing them out, making them more evident.

The rather gray background of the Hermit becomes an intense blue, which I feel adds rather than detracts from the card. The same holds for the intensifying of the color for the veil behind the figure of Justice. The sun over the mountain behind the figure of Temperance now holds the image of triple crown, which does seem to belong there. The Moon is another card that distinctly benefits from the increased intensity of the coloring of the sky.

The stained glass window behind the figure in the Four of Swords becomes much more of a point of focus, and the little salamander in front of the seated King of Wands has his fifteen seconds of fame.

I find the Radiant Tarot to be a deck well worth adding to my collection, as well as one to offer as a choice of decks for my clients.

— Bonnie Cehovet, Aeclectic Tarot

This deck has a close resemblance to another Rider-Waite clone which was also recolorized -- The Universal Waite recolorized by Mary Hanson-Roberts. The Radiant deck, however, features shades that are richer, deeper, and bolder than the softer pastel hues of the Universal Waite version.

I would recommend the Radiant Rider Tarot to anyone who wants to stay with traditional Tarot, but who finds the colors of the traditional Rider-Waite to be too bland or boring for their personal taste. Many have disliked the original Rider-Waite deck as being boring or uninspiring, while others don't mind at all. But now there is another choice to help make tradition more fun, enjoyable, and inspiring.

The Radiant Rider takes the familiar and comforting images of the traditional Rider cards and brings them to life with "radiance." The recolorization serves to illuminate Pamela Colman Smith's original work. If you're not in the mood for the traditional Rider-Waite, which may seem too "plain," or you find that you're also not in the mood for the softer colors of the Universal Waite deck . . . then the bolder colors in the Radiant version may be just what you're looking for.

Just as with the Universal version of these traditional cards, this deck presents itself in a whole new light . . . and so, if you've been one to stay away from the traditional Rider-Waite deck due to the coloring used, the Radiant Rider is a good reason to take another look from a fresh perspective.

I know I personally enjoy working with traditional Tarot, even though I also find it fun to venture out with something new quite often. But the traditional Rider Waite

is how it all started for me . . . and with the Radiant deck now available, it's among my favorites and is favored by many of my clientele in the professional readings I do.

It's just a bright, more colorful . . . and more illuminating experience to read with this traditional deck, which has been updated for modern times.

What exactly is it about this deck? Today there are literally hundreds of tarot decks to choose from, most of which are artistically superior to this seemingly rudimentary little deck. And yet, those many decks, which use subtle colors, modern printing techniques and even computer imaging, fail to compete with it. Why? The Rider deck truly has a soul, and its images shoot straight to the heart. People can often "intuitively" read this deck without any previous experience with the tarot. If the point of art is to make you feel your humanity, this deck's art is truly amazing. For all its coarse lines and flat colors, the deck somehow rises above itself, gracefully conveying all aspects of the human condition. The Rider deck is a perfect first and last deck. Pamela Colman Smith's unique symbolism ranges from the simple to the truly arcane ... It stirs the psyche and livens the soul. If you are in the market for a deck, my advice is to look not only with your eyes, but with your heart. The Rider deck is not as "glittery" as some of its more modern counterparts, but in the long run it is a wonderful and rewarding tarot without equal.

Divination has never been as sensual. This is an absolutely gorgeous collection of Goddess deities ... carefully researched... stunning... uplifting... The illustrations are truly remarkable. It is important to note that these cards are designed to nurture the feminine in all of us, regardless of gender - the Goddess bolsters those aspects of everyone's totality that have been historically disregarded, for example, intuitive abilities, creativity, sensuality, and nurturing skills.

—The Bodhi Tree Book Review

This deck of divination cards is excellent for anyone who is interested in goddesses from different cultures, as well as Tarot enthusiasts, alternative religions, or just in pretty artwork. HranaJanto, the artist who painted the deck, worked hard to make each goddess both representative of the traditional symbolism surrounding her religion, as well as the various ways women "are" in the world. We have round, full-bodied women, young, old (the Sheila Na Gig is amazing, for example), thin, black, white, and all shades in between. There are women in the deck who could be supermodels, and some who look like they've had (and are proud of having) a couple of children. And all are reverence with the "goddesses in every woman" theory of all bodies and beauties being wonderful. The deck opens itself up for a number of personalized types of readings for the person who is looking for answers. You can use multiple spreads or just one card.

I recommend this deck as highly as I can, and the new US Games version has more durable cards, and are smaller as well, which could work a lot better for smaller hands to shuffle. The fine research into goddess traditions done by Marashinsky is still relevant, and I think this deck & book would make a great Christmas present. In fact, that's how I received it, and it is a welcome member of my Tarot collection.

—Kimberly Wells, Amazon customer

I love pulling a single card to define the goddess energy for my day or ritual, or to choose a working path. As for the cards, they are really beautiful! Each shows a detailed image of a goddess, with realistic backgrounds and supporting characters in the form of animals, plants, symbols, colors, and other people. They also have a key word, as well as the name of the Goddess. I also love that they depict a real variety of women of all ages, from pre-teen to crone, all body types, and different racial types. I’d recommend this exquisite deck to anyone wishing to explore goddess energy in their life or in their readings. The artwork is realistic, beautiful, with a great variety of colors, and although there is some nudity, it is never gratuitous.

—Chloe McCracken, Aeclectic Tarot

Wow!! Such beautiful illustrations, I found my female clients (and myself) have really enjoyed their readings from this deck and have come away from it feeling positive and very inspired to get in touch with the divine goddess within!! Beautiful and powerful cards to work with.

—Loudeano, New Zealand

I purchased this card deck quite some time ago. It was recommended to me, by a close friend and mentor, that I consider an oracle deck vs. tarot as a divination tool. An oracle deck seems to allow more room for your own interpretation and use of intuition. I am a psychic medium, currently starting my own business doing readings, and I strongly identify with this deck. The images are all feminine and gorgeous. I adore the artistic style and connect strongly with the fact that each image is of a Goddess from cultures around the world. My readings have been clear and this deck has helped to open me up to my intuition, and to trust what comes through. The book that comes with the package is informative for the beginner and gives information on each individual card/Goddess along with a poem that helps you understand the feeling/message behind the card. Very nice and highly recommended, even just for the artwork!

—BibliophiliaEclectica

I had an amazing reading done with this deck a year ago and finally bought it for myself. It's great! The artwork is beautiful and I find the cards really speak to me. The book is good for a quick overview of each goddess but there's so much symbolism in each card, you can let the images guide you on their own.

­—C. Palmieri, Amazon customer

A very lovely deck and book set. Many will be familiar with HranaJanto's art -- it has often graced the covers of PanGaia or SageWoman, and she has had a number of calendars featuring her images. I enjoy Marashinsky's writing and her attitude about spirituality. This deck is wonderful for divination and ritual use.

—Audra, Goodreads

The Goddess Oracle Deck is beautiful art combined with well-written explanations for each card in the deck. What amazed me is the accuracy in which the cards and descriptions fit with each reading. It is an amazing deck and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in adding to their existing collection and especially for first time beginners. After much research me and my wife settled on this one and we weren't disappointed, gorgeous, well-written descriptions and accurate. Kudos to the designer and originator of this exquisite deck!

—Thomas W. Moon, Amazon customer

I own a few tarot and oracle sets, and this is by far my favorite. The artwork is absolutely amazing and easy to connect to. I don't use my decks often, but I love to take this one out to just look at the images. Very strong goddesses, each and every one, and the small stories in the booklet inspired me to look up the history of the individual goddesses as well. The spreads suggested also work quite well.

The Whimsical Tarot is a lot of fun -- although I originally bought it for my children to use, I found myself drawn to some of the really clever imagery. Hanson-Roberts uses traditional fairy tale characters to portray the divinatory meanings of each card. The Major Arcana, in particular, are well chosen, as are the court cards. This is a great deck to use if you're teaching kids the Tarot, or if you just want to expand your own horizons a bit. The artwork is lovely, and the card associations are clearly thought out. Definitely worth buying, if you enjoy Tarot and classic children's stories!

âPatti Wigington, About.com

Drawn by Mary-Hanson Roberts, who also created the art for the Hanson-Roberts Tarot and the Universal Waite Tarot, the Whimsical Tarot is based on fairy tales and nursery rhymes and intended for children and the 'young at heart'.

But it is by no means limited to children. The fairytales are familiar to almost everyone, the simplicity and already associated meaning with the cards helping to make tarot more accessible to a beginner.

Some of the cards make me chuckle, others I find impressive because of the approachable rendering of normally disliked cards. The Devil card, for example, shows a pair of hands controlling a marionette, a puppet on strings. The Death card is Sleeping Beauty.

I adore the backs of the cards. A lilac flower is in a rectangular focus in the center of the card. Surrounded by a mauve border, then a thicker border of yellow Celtic knot work on a turquoise background, it is restful, appropriate for upright or reversed readings, and very pretty.

I highly recommend the Whimsical Tarot as a child's tarot deck; for people who read for children; or for sensitive souls who aren't keen on confronting images on their tarot cards. The Whimsical Tarot gets the message across without being dark, negative or scary.

I also think it is a good beginners deck, as the fairytales used on each card allow the tarot novice to hang the tarot concepts on a framework they are familiar with. Learning seventy-eight different tarot meanings and how to interpret the tarot symbols can very seem daunting, but the Whimsical Tarot's cards are cute and the scenes already familiar. Hanson-Roberts combined traditional fairytales and tarot make a beautifully presented, sweet, and thoroughly whimsical tarot deck.

âSolandia, Aeclectic Tarot

She sat down and flipped through the deck, her eyes lighting up as the realized that she recognized all the fairytales and stories within each card. She squealed with excitement when the 4 of Swords reminded her of the Princess and the Pea, and she jumped up and down in her seat happily as the Magician bought back the story of Puss in Boots. When she had finished looking through the deck, she handed it back to me, with a grin from ear to ear adorning her face: My Mother appeared to like the deck.

As can be seen from my Mother's reaction, the Whimsical Tarot is aimed at children and the young at heart. The cards are adorned with fairytales, nursery rhymes, and stories that we were told as children, and as such, there are many adults who can use this deck very effectively. The benefits of using fairytales and such to illustrate the meanings of the cards is that nearly everybody is familiar with most of them, and thus can understand the meaning in the card without having to look in any book. Fairytales bring back fond memories of childhood, and those nights on the sofa with your Granny, when she would make you hot chocolate and then read Hans Christian Anderson or the Brothers Grimm to you until you were too sleepy to stay awake any longer. The attraction of a deck surrounded by, and based upon, these stories is understandable.

This deck is largely traditional: the names of the cards, the suits of the Minors, the ordering of the Majors, and the meanings of the cards are all Rider-Waite traditional. The only thing that differs is the pictures used to illustrate the cards, as these are taken directly from the fairy stories applied to each card. All of the cards are fully illustrated with the gorgeous artwork of Mary Hanson-Roberts. The Court Cards are particularly appealing, all being characters from stories, with the Queen and King usually being from the same story, eg- King and Queen of Pentacles being Maid Marion and Robin Hood. The Pages in this deck are the most interesting I have come across, and certainly the easiest to understand! Instead of showing people, they show objects, which convey the meaning of the card. For instance, the Page of Swords shows a telescope, and the Page of Pentacles shows gold coins, scales, and a tally-chart. This is a great help, especially for young children and beginners, as it is often the Court Cards that are the most difficult to read.

All the fairytales are well chosen and very evocative. Every other deck I have seen which uses fairytales as its theme has failed in that sometimes the chosen fairytales are chosen superficially, for instance, in one deck I found that the Emperor card was represent by the Emperor's New Clothes, which really didn't have anything to do with the meaning at all. With this deck, that's not the case: Every single card's fairytale is chosen for its meaning and significance. That is an achievement within itself I think, and something that this deck deserves praise for.

I love this deck. It is the best one I have seen which is aimed at children, but which also proves to be an excellent deck for adults! Children, beginners, adults who enjoy fairy stories, collectors, and those who like Mary Hanson-Roberts' artwork would all enjoy this deck immensely and learn alot from it.
For myself, after using this deck, I found that I could read better in general: the meanings of the cards took on a more imaginative form, and I could apply meanings from the cards to the querent's life very easily. As an introduction to the Tarot, or as a deck for the more advanced reader, this is an absolute treasure.

âKim Huggens, Aeclectic Tarot

The Whimsical Tarot has a great richness to it because it is drawing on our knowledge of fairy tales as well as our knowledge of the Tarot. It works well for intuitive readings based on the images which can speak directly to us at a deep level. Although it may look like a children's deck it is suitable for anyone who is happy with an attractive, amusing deck which has more depth to it than appears at first glance.

âFairyhedgehog, Aeclectic Tarot

I have recommended this deck to everyone I know interested in Tarot and while at first they read reviews and see the deck and question me, once they USE the deck for the first time, they are hooked! As the author states in her introduction, the images are intended to appeal to our inner child, our earliest memories and our connections to fairy tales and their distinct sense of right and wrong, good and evil. These descriptions, again, seem simplistic and very black and white, and life deals us, like the Tarot, a mixed bag with gray areas, this deck comes through with clear messages and direction. Like our proverbial Knight in Shining Armor, the message in a spread heralds in with ease and in a manner that allow for deeper reflection as you view the images on the cards.

The artwork in this deck cannot be complimented enough. The images perfectly match the descriptions. Ms. Morrison, in her introduction, compliments Ms. Hanson-Roberts with seeing within her own mind and having an innate understanding of her ideas. This is true for this deck like no other I have encountered. There is a perfect congruity between image and word.

âKate Robinson, Aeclectic Tarot

The Whimsical Tarot approaches the reading of cards from a completely different aspect -- by associating with childhood images and fairy tales. This deck allows us to connect with our "inner child". Although the name may suggest this is a less than serious deck, this deck is a very valuable tool in discovering our inner selves and helping us reconnect with those simple things that give us joy.

The images on the cards do not obviously correspond with the imagery from our experiences with the Rider-Waite style of decks. Gone are the confusing "Quabalah mystery" symbolism that we pondered and studied in order to interpret the meanings of those older decks. This is the use of simple and obvious imagery that gives us instant insight into the meaning of the cards.

The images are drawn from well-known fairy tales and are familiar to just about anyone. The artwork of Mary Hanson-Robert is clean. She gives us very colorful images that attract attention but are not obtrusive. The artwork is not distracting, but is lovely to sit and reflect upon.

As we explore the deck, we find some familiar tarot references. We do have a Major Arcana comprised of 22 cards, all clearly marked with the number of the card in its order, and the name of the card. There is no mistaking the card's association. The Fool - 0 - is the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. If you look at the tarot as a personal journey of the one who begins as a fool, this association is very obvious. We have the symbolism of the yellow brick road, we have Toto and so much more. The Magician is Puss in Boots, the High Priestess is the Fairy Godmother. There are some very interesting associations, as with The Emperor being Father Christmas, the Old Woman in the Shoe for the Empress, Judgment using The Cricket from Pinnochio, Glinda for The World, "Goldilocks being discovered" as Justice. The images are so obvious in some instances, yet they challenge you to use your own judgment and personal insights.

I also find myself drawing on my own knowledge of the tarot and associations when I am using this deck. While someone who is not familiar with the traditional meanings of the tarot will find this a very easy and fun deck to use, those of us who are trained in the traditional meanings will not find this "foreign" as there are familiar associations here. When we look at the "Two of Cups", the traditional meaning being a lesser "Lovers" card, it's association is still retained with the story of the "Owl and the Kitty Cat", so we are not totally out of familiar grounds. Pentacles still retains its meaning of material matters while cups still reflects inner emotions. The "Ten of Swords", a card of chaos and mistakes, shows the story of Humpty Dumpty falling off the wall. The traditional meanings are not told in the mysterious symbolism but in very obvious and well thought through imagery.

The small details on the cards not only attract attention but allow special reflection and a good look at one's inner self. And these special touches make this a remarkable deck. I love this deck for personal contemplation. I have also used this deck for clients who wanted to examine their own personal feelings and issues and it has provided much insight. It works as well with clients as it does with personal readings.

I would also like to suggest that if you have a youngster who is interested in tarot cards and readings, that this would make a perfect first deck. As our children watch us using the cards, they will also want to explore the path with you, as all children look to their parents for guidance. This deck is so perfect for the younger apprentice that I couldn't think of any deck more perfect for the "almost teenager" or the "First Deck" gifting. If you are looking for something that is perfect for a holiday gift, or someone just starting, or the "first deck" give this deck a viewing and see if you don't agree this could be the deck for you.

Illustrator Vanessa Decort has created a stunning yet simple deck with her Sun And Moon Tarot. On close inspection, there is a richness and complexity that draws you in and lends new, subtle nuances to your tarot readings. Decort describes the deck this way: "The Sun And Moon Tarot considers universal archetypes and cultural symbols, and also incorporates the artist's own personal symbols."

Based on the Thoth deck, it stays true to the titles that Aleister Crowley used (ex: 7 of Pentacles - Failure; Art - Temperance; Princes and Princes rather than Knights and Pages). I've always been somewhat intimidated by the Thoth deck but Decort has taken that influence and infused it with an almost playful, childlike essence. This could be because she has a background as an illustrator for children's books or perhaps she simply wanted to deliver the wisdom of the Thoth deck in a more whimsical and accessible manner. The result is an inviting, fun deck that never loses its Thoth roots.

This is a well-made deck on sturdy card stock with a somewhat matte finish. It felt great in my hands, shuffled well and seemed built to last. This is very important to me as I tend to be hard on my decks through constant use. The back of the deck is a gorgeous black and white mandala - and it's reversible, another small detail that I like.

Each image is framed by white borders with titles (in English) and numbers clearly printed. Colors are bold yet muted. I especially liked the choices for the Minors suits - neutral, earthy tones for Earth; dark grey, burnt sienna and orange flames for Fire; rich midnight blue for Water; and light sky blue for Air. These color schemes make sense and allow the reader to instantly know which suit they are working with before they even glance at the title.

There are strong Kabbalah and alchemy influences throughout the deck - each Major has a Hebrew letter and the elemental symbols appear on every minor. Yogic images are scattered about - fro the OM symbol in the Hermit to the dancing Shiva as the Universe (World)!

The Major Arcana is especially rich with symbols - the yin and yang in the Temperance and the Phoenix in the Death card convey the meanings clearly. Astrological symbols are featured throughout the Majors - for example, the Cancer symbol on the chest of the driver in The Chariot or the ram's heads and lamb (Aries) in the Emperor.

One of the things I liked the best about this deck was the multicultural imagery. Rather than "standard" RWS people, there are all races represented here - black, white, dark haired, redheads and more. This gives the deck a "modern" appeal and I happen to like that as my own personal life is diverse - so seeing this detail made me feel more connected to the deck.

I'm giving this deck two Swords up. It is a unique and interesting deck for any tarot lover's collection.

We are in transformational times -- the authors take this one step further and present the Tarot as being a prophecy for this transformational change, and a guide to a rebirth into a new world -- both on the individual and the community/world level. Through the use of full-color images and astutely written texts, the authors offer us a new way of thinking and a new way of being. The presentation is as magical as the concepts.

-- Bonnie Cehovet

Tarot for Magical Times is the best sort of modern tarot book in that is has enough new meaty information to make it interesting to an advanced tarotist, and enough practical instruction to make it appropriate for even the most nervous tarot novice. That the authors refer to times of difficult global upheaval as "magical times" captures the essence of the book itself. While sugar-coating nothing, this book presents tarot as a useful tool of positive perspectives and helpful advice during times of personal and planetary difficulty.

-- Christine Gaudet, Tarot Grandmaster

This is a gorgeous little book that offers photos as well as tarot images which help cement the concepts particularly well in the astrological portion. Don't be fooled by the slim profile. There is a ton of information packed in these pages.

This intriguing oracle features lady vampires as guides to both the light and dark places we encounter in our life. The wide-eyed femmes appear young, and throughout the varying images of the 44 cards, also wistful, plaintive, rebellious, saintly, angry, innocent, alluring, erudite, seductive…and more! The vampire element is not overplayed, as only a small portion of the young females display two biting incisors. Other pictorial images that repeat in the background include: nighttime ambiance, skulls, wolves, cats, indoor gothic architecture, sumptuous attire and gilded card borders and furniture.

In the companion Guidebook, the handy Contents in the beginning of the book conveniently list each card, with card number and page. In addition, helpful basics are addressed, such as blessing the deck, how to shuffle the cards, and reading for others. The 17 page introduction is comprehensive, including the discussion as to why vampires can function as effective guides, and three sample layouts are delineated: The Trinity, The Path Through the Night, and The Byzantine Cross. I will need to practice the 13 card Path Through the Night, but the Trinity with three cards and the Byzantine Cross, with six cards, were simpler for me to immediately grasp. The book is very well organized and offers much wisdom gleaned from the author’s metaphysical life experience and practice in presenting workshops. The book is 135 pages and each page of interpretation includes a small black and white image of the card, key words, card meaning (Les Vampires Speak), and further brief notes titled, “Blessing”, “Curse” and “Working with This Card”. The author notes that the short mentioning for each card under the “Curse” can refer to the reverse card position as well as pointing to remedial areas for right action, to rebalance that area of one’s life.

Jasmine Becket-Griffith’s artwork is evocative of a host of artists from the 1960s and 1970s, (one artist in particular that I recall, having traveled to the American Southwest is Ted de Grazia), who painted wide-eyed young ones—this Oracle goes beyond innocents gazing at us and becomes a compelling journey into the layered world of fantasy, attraction, and the fated journey that we walk in responding to our own impulses and the world around us.

In other words, I found an increasing notion that the Les Vampires Oracle carries a well-constructed and carefully considered set of layered archetypes and metaphors; surely there is sufficient mystery and wisdom here to both study and to play with for some time.

I have been patiently awaiting the publication of a companion book to the Chrysalis Tarot, and I am incredibly pleased with what has been presented to the Chrysalis Tarot reader.

What I found through the Two Parts of this guide was the heart and mythology of Chrysalis Tarot. The voice of the book weaves origins of imagery, sensation and the soul of what makes Chrysalis Tarot work.

After Toney Brooks invites you to journey onward through his thoughtful Introduction there is a dynamic Foreword, written by the enchanting Tali Goodwin. Her passage is illuminating and indicative of the harmonious tone of masterfully composed pages, written by Holly Sierra and Toney Brooks.

Holly Sierra was gracious enough to share her early sketches of every single one of the 78 cards in the Chrysalis Tarot deck. She continues with anecdotes about her process and/or what the creative duo went through to accomplish the final result of the images we use today.
Toney Brooks defines the nuance, emotion and purpose of these characters some of us have come to know.

What I most enjoyed about this book is the fact that, as you read on, it feels as though you are sitting at tea with Holly and Toney, as they describe these many friends of theirs. The chat carries on to express the various attributes and way in which these friends may assist you in your everyday life.
After reading this book, I felt as if I had met Chrysalis Tarot's family. As if I was privy to baby photos and stories of childhood milestones, and I fell in love all over again.

I highly recommend this book. It has everything you are looking for in a tarot companion. I believe in, what I call, The Chrysalis Tarot System. This book will help you navigate through using the deck, of course. However, it will also help shed light along your path.

-Giuliana M. Ramirez, Chrysalis Tarot Study Group administrator

I love the Chrysalis Tarot but having this book to refer to has really helped me develop a deeper connection with the cards, which I use in my daily morning reading. I found that the little book that came with the deck just wasn't quite enough but this book gives more depth of meaning and explanations of the origins of each card and that has really helped me make a better connection with the deck. Thank you.

—MW, Amazon customer

I'm a huge fan of the Chrysalis Tarot: the artwork is magnificent, the symbolism and energy of the cards are truly unique. I don't think there is a better Tarot deck out there as a tool for personal growth and for gaining deeper insights on our journey.
Don't expect a "standard" book with defined and/or classical meanings of the cards (this is not a standard Tarot deck neither ;-)) The Chrysalis Tarot invites you to work with your imagination, to trust your intuition in giving your reading a personal interpretation ; by doing so, it definitely stimulates the connection with your Higher Self.

One of the many reasons Chrysalis is my favourite Tarot deck, is that each card and each explanation in the book provide a positive outlook. It matches my personal conviction that we can't always choose what happens to us, but we do always have a choice in how we will react on things. And there's always a way to approach events in a positive way, to learn from what's happening to us and how we evolve.
Toney Brooks does so much more than just "explaining the cards" and their meaning: you get fantastic shares about quantum physics, shamanism, mythology, etc.

Another thing I love about the book is that Holly Sierra introduces each card with some insights on why & how she created the card.
Overall, each card is discussed equally in the book: Majors, Minors and the Court cards get the same attention.
IMHO: this book is a must have if you like working with the Chrysalis Tarot or would like to get acquainted with it!

—Helene Ghillebaert, Amazon customer

What a FANTASTIC adventure! This book really is a "companion", both to the cards, and to your life! Having quickly read the introduction before shooting off out I was already hooked & couldn't wait to get home to read more! The layout is great, interesting chapters about all things mythological & metaphysical, based around the key "Characters" in the journey, followed by "The Hero's Journey" itself, an in depth guide to each card, complete with original sketches and the story behind the card, what inspired the design etc, right down to little details, like why there is a teeny Mouse in the corner, and why The Sun has a teardrop (no, "He" is not sad)...All these little things add to the thrill of the adventure and stay with you, lodging themselves in the memory bank to come jumping right back into your head when you then look through the cards! I read through the whole book before spending much time with the cards and didn't want to put it down! By the end of it I felt like I'd been on a journey & met some wonderful characters.....Just wish there was a sequel!

—Jackie Watson, Amazon customer

I've been reading my Chrysalis Companion book, well like its a new companion. I love this book! I've especially enjoyed being able to pull case studies of cards, and draw deeply from the reservoir of knowledge and myth presented within these pages. This has allowed me to deepen my own intuitions through understanding more of the correlations and associations with cards that come up regularly in my daily readings. Having this book to make quick references between the cards, opens the opportunity to study my own connections and patterns, and become more conscious of the synchronicity presenting in my life. Additionally, this book has inspired me to spend time with my cards in a new way! Studying each card in new context and themes, one by one with each turning page. The Chrysalis Tarot Book is a valuable study guide and reference book for its deck and for understanding the metaphysical world behind it. I love the golden thread woven through this book with art and storytelling, that truly makes a connection through the heart chakra and draws you in closer to relationship with the book's wisdom and maybe more importantly, your own.